Tag: BP05

Rise of Cyberpunk Corporate Power? A Possible Reality or Completely Fictional?

Lavell A.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

The cyberpunk genre presents to us a number of unsavory future societies ruled by corporate dominance such as the Tyrell Corporation in Blade Runner or the Tessier-Ashpool family in Neuromancer. These fictional megacorporations are as powerful as they come.  They are unchecked forces capable of making anything they want to happen, no matter how corrupt it may be.  When you compare these companies to the corporate giants in reality, you start to wonder how close, if possible, at all, are we to these stories?

Cyberpunk Stories of Unmanaged Power

In Blade Runner, the Tyrell Corporation truly defines a corporate entity with unregulated power.  The corporation designs, creates, and engineers replicants (genetically bioengineered humanoids) all for the money with no regard for the consequences or the ethics that come with it.  These replicants are sent off to perform dangerous jobs with no types of rights or protections.  On the other hand (or should I say the same hand), Neuromancer introduces the Tessier-Ashpools.  This group is a very powerful and wealthy family putting in near-immortal status due to their access to society’s technological advancements.  In the wake of wanting to reach true immortality the family does whatever they must regardless of the expense of others. As you can see, these examples are far from favorable for the rest of society, but as technology today is continuously improving with time, eventually will we be living in a world mimicking these fictional corporate-controlled societies?

Are Todays Corporations Becoming Megacorporations?

These days our examples of big corporate companies would be Amazon or Google as both basically are monopolies in their respective markets.  They are able to control the competition as they see fit and also capable of shaping consumer behavior.  This monopolistic power very closely resembles the dominance shown by the above-described fictional corporate entities.  Not to mention, these companies have countless information on its millions or billions of consumers.

I feel that even with the size of megacorporations and increasing levels of technology, we will never get to a point where they rule over society as described in the cyberpunk genre.  This is because of the way governments and countries work.  We have plenty of laws put in place to never allow a company to be the sole player in any market.  Even though they have monopolistic levels of power, it didn’t just start that way and if ever they get out of hand or say too big, I feel the government will be quick to put an end to that power.  All in all, this means that our futures are safe!

Sugar scrollers , BP05

Chelsea M.
Reading Time: 3 minutes

SUGAR SCROLLERS

In the digital age, connection has become a commodity. Few understand this better than the leaders behind social media platforms. Companies like Instagram, TikTok, and X have built empires on algorithms designed not just to connect us, but to consume us. Every swipe, every like, every comment is a calculated act of seduction, pulling us deeper into a world where satisfaction is fleeting, and the next dopamine hit is just another scroll away.

You’ve felt it, haven’t you? The innocent urge to check your phone “for a minute” that stretches into hours. Social media doesn’t just invite us in; it ensnares us. These platforms exploit our psychology, turning curiosity into compulsion. It’s a subtle form of control that feels eerily similar to the “pill funders” in Machinehood, a novel where corporations create dependency on enhancement drugs. In our world, social media companies do the same, feeding our need for validation while trapping us in endless cycles of consumption.

Algorithms: Curating Reality, Shaping Identity

At first glance, social media algorithms seem harmless, even helpful, curating content that aligns with our interests and emotions. But here’s the cost: reality itself gets narrowed. The endless feed becomes a hall of mirrors, reflecting only what we already believe or crave. Over time, this isolation fosters echo chambers, distorting our perception of the world and deepening our feelings of loneliness.

For many, the curated feed becomes a constant comparison game. Everyone else seems happier, more successful, more fulfilled. This distorted reality feeds anxiety and depression, especially among young people. Studies show that prolonged social media use is linked to poor self-esteem and mental health. Just like Machinehood’s pill funders profit from reliance on enhancement drugs, social media platforms profit from our need for digital validation, exploiting our vulnerabilities to keep us scrolling.

The Mental Health Toll

The race for engagement has made mental health collateral damage. Platforms push “doomscrolling” content—negative news, polarizing debates, and sensationalized stories designed to trigger emotional reactions. It’s not a bug; it’s the system working as intended. The result? Chronic stress, mental fatigue, and a lingering sense of despair.

The “like” button, once a harmless novelty, has morphed into a reward-and-punishment system that shapes our behavior and self-worth. We’ve become reliant on digital applause for satisfaction, much like the characters in Machinehood depend on productivity drugs. But instead of feeling fulfilled, we’re left emptier, chasing the next fleeting hit of validation.

Today’s Pill Funders

In Machinehood, the pill funders create dependency under the guise of productivity and necessity. They control society by exploiting human vulnerabilities, selling solutions to problems they’ve manufactured. Swap pills for algorithms, and the parallel is striking. Social media platforms cultivate our dependency by exploiting our need for connection, belonging, and relevance.

We’re told to “engage” and “connect,” but in reality, we’re feeding the algorithm. Every click fuels the machine, and every second we spend scrolling lines the pockets of those who profit from our attention. We’ve become both the consumer and the product, trapped in a loop that’s as addictive as it is exhausting.

Breaking the Cycle

So how do we reclaim our lives? It starts with awareness and intentionality. Set boundaries. Turn off notifications. Curate your feed to prioritize content that uplifts rather than drains. Just as we’re mindful of what we eat, we need to be equally mindful of what we consume digitally.

Tech companies have a moral obligation to design platforms that prioritize well-being over profit, but waiting for them to act could take a lifetime. For now, the responsibility is ours. We must navigate these digital spaces with caution, understanding that algorithms are not built to fulfill us—they’re built to use us.

In a world where social media dominates, the power lies in our ability to pause, to question, and to choose. Much like the pill funders in Machinehood, social media companies exploit our vulnerabilities for profit. But unlike the characters in that dystopia, we still have a choice. We can look up, step away, and reclaim our lives—one mindful decision at a time.

Let’s make that choice. Let’s be more than consumers of endless feeds. Let’s be humans, present and intentional, in a world that needs us to look beyond the screen.

From Silicon Valley to Cyber Tyranny: Are Corporations the New Overlords?

Makeda M.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

By examining examples of cyberpunk media in tandem with modern realities, one might argue that such futures, while exaggerated, are not entirely implausible given the trajectory of late-stage capitalism and America’s ongoing disdain for paying proper wages. In Neuromancer, the Tessier-Ashpool family embodies a fusion of corporate and familial greed, using technology to perpetuate their power across generations. They operate from a space station, isolated from Earth and humanity, while controlling vast resources and exerting influence through their artificial intelligence constructs. This depiction eerily aligns with modern billionaires’ ventures into space, such as Elon Musk’s SpaceX or Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin. These endeavors showcase an appetite for detachment from the mundane struggles of Earth—be it climate change, labor inequality, or societal unrest—while simultaneously solidifying control over emerging industries.

Elon Musk photographed by the
SpaceX.

The labor dynamics depicted in cyberpunk fiction are also strikingly familiar. In Machinehood, pharmaceutical “pill funders” monetize human productivity and health, illustrating a chilling commodification of labor itself. Today, we see parallels in the gig economy, where workers are treated as disposable units of production rather than humans with needs. Companies like Uber, Amazon, and DoorDash epitomize this trend by leveraging technology to reduce labor costs while maximizing profits. Workers face low pay, minimal benefits, and algorithmic control, echoing cyberpunk’s warnings about technology amplifying exploitation.

But the situation could evolve even further. America’s systemic resistance to adequately compensating labor—rooted in capitalist greed—may push corporations into fully embracing cybernetic systems. Automation and AI are already replacing human labor in manufacturing, logistics, and even customer service. In a future cyberworld, corporations could prioritize the development of cybernetic augmentations, not to enhance humanity but to extract more value from workers. Imagine a scenario where workers are expected to implant productivity-enhancing chips or risk losing their jobs. This is not far removed from Amazon’s current use of surveillance technology to monitor workers’ efficiency. At the same time, these corporate evolutions could lead to deeper societal divisions. While cyberpunk often focuses on elite corporations versus disenfranchised masses, we might see a middle ground emerge: those who can afford limited augmentations to stay competitive in the labor market versus those who cannot. Such disparities would only exacerbate inequalities, reinforcing the capitalist cycle of profit-driven progress at the expense of human welfare.

Ultimately, the evolution of corporations into cyberworld overlords is not just a dystopian fantasy but a critique of our present. It underscores the dangers of unchecked capitalism and the devaluation of human labor. While the predictions of cyberpunk may seem hyperbolic, they serve as a warning: without systemic change, the future could see corporations not just operating in cyberworlds but controlling them, where labor is no longer human and humanity is merely another resource to exploit. By embracing more equitable labor practices and regulating corporate power, society might avert such a future. But until then, cyberpunk remains an uncomfortable mirror, reflecting the potential of capitalism unchecked.

Machinehood Business

Simone H.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

In cyberpunk stories like Machinehood, we see how corporations gain power and control over people’s lives, especially through technology and resources. In Machinehood, the “pill funders” manage productivity-enhancing drugs that many people need to work in a highly competitive world. These corporations shape society by making people dependent on their products to survive, which mirrors how some companies influence our lives today.

For example, large tech companies like Amazon and Google have a significant impact on our daily routines, from the way we shop to the ads we see. They gather vast amounts of personal data, shaping what we see, hear, and even buy. Companies like Facebook have even been shown to influence political views by tailoring news feeds to certain audiences. Amazon’s control over its workers’ schedules and the conditions in their warehouses reflects how some corporations prioritize profit over people’s well-being.

Machinehood also highlights the dependence on performance enhancement, which is becoming more common in the real world. In gig economies, workers often rely on apps and metrics to keep up, similar to how people in Machinehood use productivity drugs. This is concerning, as it raises questions about whether society is pushing people to act like machines, losing personal choice and privacy along the way.

While Machinehood’s vision is extreme, it still warns us about the path we’re on. The story’s portrayal of corporations controlling every aspect of human life might be exaggerated, but it’s based on real-world trends that we can see today. This cautionary tale encourages us to think about the need for regulations and ethical standards, so that corporations don’t have unchecked power over individuals’ lives. While we may not reach the full dystopian world of Machinehood, it’s a reminder to be mindful of how much control we give to corporations.

An illustration of a dystopian corporate-controlled future inspired by cyberpunk. Depict towering, dark skyscrapers with neon signs displaying company logos and advertisements. A cityscape with workers in mechanized uniforms or connected to various machines, showing dependence on technology. Some workers are consuming pills or injections, symbolizing reliance on productivity enhancers. Surveillance cameras and drones are visible, emphasizing the lack of privacy. The scene is dark with vibrant neon lights illuminating specific signs, adding a sense of dominance and control by corporations. Overall, a sense of overwhelming corporate influence and lack of individual autonomy pervades the atmosphere.

Cavallaro, Dani. Cyberpunk and Cyberculture: Science Fiction and the Work of William Gibson. Bloomsbury Publishing, 2000.

#BP05

These are How-To guides right??

Jesslyn J.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

I find it fascinating to think about where corporations might be headed, especially when I compare our contemporary world with the fictional examples from Blade Runner, Neuromancer, and Machinehood. These works present unsettling images of the future, but how far-fetched are they, really?

Take the Tyrell Corporation from Blade Runner, for example. Tyrell’s monopoly on bio-engineered humans, or replicants, creates a world where one company controls both life and technology without any real accountability. It’s a portrayal of unchecked corporate power that dehumanizes individuals for profit. When I look at some modern corporations, I can’t help but draw parallels—there are certainly times when profit seems to trump ethics, especially in cases where companies disregard the impact of their products or practices on people and the environment. The power dynamics feel eerily similar.

Then there’s the Tessier-Ashpool family from Neuromancer. They represent a corporate dynasty that wields technology and genetic engineering to consolidate power across generations. The Tessier-Ashpools blur the line between humanity and corporate control, introducing the concept of a transhumanist elite. I can’t ignore the parallel to today’s tech giants who hold significant influence over our lives and privacy. Companies like Google, Amazon, and Meta come to mind—they might not be splicing genes, but they are deeply embedded in our personal lives and have significant control over our data, the media we consume, and even our choices. It’s easy to imagine this concentration of power growing in the future if left unchecked.

The “pill funders” in Machinehood are another interesting example. These funders use biotechnology to enhance human abilities, controlling society through their grip on this technology. What strikes me here is how this setup could create a new elite, where only the wealthiest can afford the advancements that ensure continued dominance. In our world, I see glimpses of this in the rising biotech and AI industries, where those with financial access to cutting-edge healthcare and tech enhancements are likely to stay at the top.

When I think about the future, I do see echoes of these sci-fi worlds. But, honestly, I’m not sure we’ll fully get there. As much as technology is advancing, and as much as corporations are gaining power, society feels increasingly resistant to a monolithic, corporate-run future. Right now, people are highly divided, and there’s a lot of pushback against corporate influence. Movements around ethical AI, environmental responsibility, and data privacy suggest that many of us want to slow down or redirect these trends. So while I think there’s a realistic foundation to these dystopian predictions, whether we actually end up in that kind of future will likely depend on how society addresses these issues—and I’m not convinced we’re all willing to “mesh” with a world of corporate control.

In the end, I think these sci-fi portrayals are hyperbolic critiques grounded in real concerns. They show what might happen if we don’t think critically about the role of corporations and technology in our lives, but they’re also a reminder of the power we have to steer our society away from those extremes.

Zakiyah M.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

In the film Blade Runner (1982), Tyrell Corporation is responsible for the creation of replicants that eventually became illegal to have on Earth. The corporation created these human-like replicants with the mindset of making them “More Human Than Human”. The replicants would have the capacity to complete tasks that many humans would not want to do, which from a anthropocentric view, seems very appealing. However, Tyrell Corporation disregarded the ethically aspects of this creation by not only making the replicants look human-like, even though they are viewed as servants, but also by adding artificial intelligence that gave the replicants consciousness and false memories similar to that of humans. Even as replicants began to deviate from their original roles, individuals from Tyrell Corporation continued to produce and use them for their own personal use. This a prime example of corporate greed and is a common theme that is also seen in the real world.

In the real world, it is commonly seen that CEOs of corporations care more about themselves and their companies than the overall wellness of the people that they serve. For example, Jeff Bezos is one of the richest people in the world with a net worth of a couple hundred billion while the starting wage for individuals who work at Amazon shipping facilities is under twenty dollars per hour. This comparison is very similar to Tyrell Corporation in which they continuously used the free labor of sentient replicants to do all the work that they did not want to do themselves. This imbalance caused by corporate greed widens the economic gap between the upper class and lower class, making it harder for those with less income to continue to afford to live as the rich get even more rich. Jeff Bezos is not the only CEO like this. Many large corporations are heading in the same direction in which their greed continuously puts the masses at a large disadvantage as the corporations profit from the work of the people.

The Future of Corporate Power

Olivia S.
Reading Time: 3 minutes

The cyberpunk genre has long been a fascinating lens through which we explore the dark potential of corporate power. Through its narratives, we encounter megacorporations whose greed and influence often override ethics, governments, and even humanity itself. By analyzing examples such as the Tyrell Corporation from Blade Runner, the Tessier-Ashpool family in Neuromancer, and the “pill funders” in Machinehood, we confront chilling portrayals of unchecked corporate dominance. But are these scenarios plausible futures or exaggerated critiques of our current trajectory?

Corporate Power in Cyberpunk: A Glimpse into Dystopia

In Blade Runner, the Tyrell Corporation exemplifies corporate overreach. It is a monolithic entity with near-total control over artificial intelligence and robotics. Tyrell’s replicants, humanoid robots designed for labor, demonstrate the moral compromise inherent in a profit-driven ethos. The corporation’s disregard for the ethical implications of its technology echoes concerns in contemporary AI and biotechnology sectors. Similarly, in William Gibson’s Neuromancer, the Tessier-Ashpools are a wealthy and isolated family who control a massive conglomerate. Their pursuit of immortality and power through artificial intelligence creates a world where human individuality is subservient to corporate goals.

Lastly, Machinehood by S.B. Divya introduces the “pill funders,” corporate entities controlling pharmaceutical and biomechanical enhancements essential to daily life. These companies dictate who has access to resources, exploiting desperation for profit. Their stranglehold on healthcare resonates with modern concerns about pharmaceutical monopolies.

This image was created on ChatGPT on Nov 27, 2024. https://chatgpt.com/c/67477bc2-2978-8010-b7df-4172e8b2e2e5

Modern Parallels: Reality or Exaggeration?

Many of these cyberpunk tropes feel disturbingly relevant. Consider the influence of contemporary tech giants like Amazon, Meta, and Google. These corporations not only dominate their industries but also shape global infrastructure, public discourse, and even privacy laws. In 2021, Amazon was criticized for using algorithms that prioritized efficiency over worker safety, drawing parallels to the dehumanizing labor systems seen in Blade Runner.

Pharmaceutical companies also bear a resemblance to Machinehood’s pill funders. The opioid crisis, exacerbated by aggressive marketing and lobbying by corporations like Purdue Pharma, demonstrates the deadly consequences of profit-driven healthcare. Similarly, the monopolization of insulin production has led to life-saving medication being priced out of reach for many—a direct echo of cyberpunk’s dystopian critiques.

However, these depictions can also feel hyperbolic. For all their faults, many corporations do face public and governmental checks, particularly in democratic societies. Regulations like the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and increased antitrust scrutiny in the U.S. indicate that corporate power, while significant, is not absolute.

Are We Heading There?

The question remains: are we truly on a path to the corporate dystopias of cyberpunk? The answer lies somewhere in between. While cyberpunk narratives provide valuable critiques of corporate greed and unchecked power, they often amplify reality to provoke reflection and action. They remind us of the dangers of complacency in the face of growing corporate influence. Presently, we see these exploitative conditions in big corporations, such as Apple, that have led to dystopian-like conditions in the Congo due to greed for materials like cobalt and uranium, used to make iPhones and other Apple products.

By engaging with these narratives and drawing parallels to our world, we are equipped to challenge harmful systems before they solidify. As the line between fiction and reality blurs, it becomes vital to question, regulate, and resist structures that prioritize profit over humanity.

For further reading, explore the following resources:

The corporate dystopias of cyberpunk are not inevitable, but they serve as a stark warning. The future depends on our vigilance, resistance, and insistence on ethical practices that prioritize humanity over profit.

BPO5

Kaydra R.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Even if we have not yet reached the dystopian extremities portrayed in these science fiction novels, the trend of corporate power, especially in the technology industry, indicates that companies may soon start to resemble these made-up worlds. Serious ethical concerns are raised by their influence over labor markets, technology, and even governments. Unchecked, this trend may result in situations where corporations dominate not just economic systems but also the fundamentals of identity and human existence. Megacorporations like Google, Amazon, Meta, and OpenAI are becoming more and more like the tech giants in these stories. They create and manage vital components of technology that influence day-to-day living, like artificial intelligence ,data collection, and surveillance systems. Particularly in fields like automation, data privacy, and AI ethics, their innovation is frequently unrestrained by significant state restriction. For instance, the quick development of strong language models by OpenAI in the absence of a defined regulatory framework may be compared to the rise of sophisticated AIs in Neuromancer. Like the “pill funders” in Machine Hood, businesses are using biotechnology, automation, and artificial intelligence to create the nature of employment in the future. While some professionals already utilize performance enhancing medications and nootropics to cope with high-pressure situations, biotech businesses are investigating ways to improve human performance through genetic engineering and cybernetic implants. Similar to how fictional companies control people in Neuromancer and Blade Runner, surveillance capitalism is growing, as businesses make money off of personal information. Businesses like Google and Meta collect enormous volumes of personal data in order to shape customer behavior, which raises moral questions regarding privacy and individual liberty. The power of corporations in geopolitics is growing. Some examples are social media behemoths affecting elections and political conversations around the world, or multinational businesses like Pfizer and Moderna during the COVID-19 epidemic. Like the Tyrell Corporation in Blade Runner, these corporations occasionally function outside the purview of national governments.

The Tyrell Effect

Chloe' T.
Reading Time: < 1 minute

The neon-lit world of Blade Runner paints a vivid picture of corporate dominance like the Tyrell Corporation. Tyrell isn’t just a business. It’s an entity that engineers the very fabric of life, creating replicants. This portrayal questions whether corporations in the real world are heading toward similar unchecked power or if Tyrell’s dystopian grip is merely a hyperbolic critique. In Blade Runner, the Tyrell Corporation displays incredible influence over society. It not only produces replicants but shapes the rules for their existence. Tyrell’s, “More human than human,” reflects its godlike ambitions illustrates the blurring ethical boundaries and placing profit and progress above morality. The corporation’s disregard for individuals echoes real-world instances of corporate exploitation. This shows people are often treated as commodities. For example, issues like exploitative labor practices in developing countries seen in companies outsourcing to sweatshops. Workers are reduced to tools for profit, much like Tyrell’s replicants. Similarly, Amazon’s treatment of warehouse workers reflect the difference between corporate power and human dignity. Tyrell’s world doesn’t feel as far away when we consider how these corporations continue to grow with limited regulatory oversight. However, it brings to attention that regulation often lags behind innovation. Corporations outmaneuver existing laws by exploiting loopholes or influencing policymakers. However, the risk remains that corporations could consolidate more power. Ultimately, Tyrell’s world serves as both a warning and a mirror. This resembles real-world greed and power accumulation of corporations while exaggerating their potential for unchecked control. Whether or not we descend into a dystopia depends on how rigorously we hold corporations accountable and resist the erosion of individual rights in the name of progress.

Addicted to Work

Kayla G.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

In the Machinehood through the use of the various pill funders we see an example of how corporate exploitation reaches an all time peak.  In the novel, we see how giant pharmaceutical companies monopolize the production of performance-enhancing pills. To many of the workers these  pills have become essential for them to be in a hyper-competitive gig economy. In the Machinehood world,  their productivity basically determines their survival. The novel shows how these corporations have turned the capabilities of their workers into a commodity. They reduce these individuals to minuscule tools that they can simply optimize for profit through the use of drugs. This mirrors how in the present society there is a concern about the pharmaceutical industry, and the many ways it is using exorbitant pricing to monopolize human health.  These companies practice limiting access to essential medicines to the wealthy, prioritizing profits over public health. Although the pharmaceutical companies have a big impact on the distribution of drugs, so have other illegal methods. 

The examples we see of the corporate behaviors depicted in the Machinehood is somewhat hyperbolic, however, when looking at  contemporary society, the illustration in this story may not be as far-fetched as it seems.The pharmaceutical industry has been criticized for prioritizing their profits over the accessibility of medications for patients. Similarly, the opioid epidemic highlights how companies, for example Purdue Pharma, try to aggressively market addictive painkillers. This led to many people on the street trying to make and sell knock offs despite knowing their harmful effects, prioritizing profit at the expense of public health. The present day use and effects of addictive drugs makes the use of the pills in Machinehood not seem so hyperbolic. It is easy to make people addicted, and addicts will do anything for a fix. These people could easily become addicted to working simply to receive the pills.